Link to ECAC Release
Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey field hockey team continued to reel in post-season honors as the Lions had four individuals receive honors from the ECAC.
Senior Kelly Mitchell (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) was named to the 2008 ECAC Division III First Team, while seniors Katie Reuther (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) and Jackie Gelinas (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) each landed a spot on the second team. Freshman Alex Okuniewicz (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) garnered the final honor as she was tabbed as the 2008 ECAC Division III Rookie of the Year.
This marked the second straight year Mitchell has earned a spot on the first team. She is also a two-time Longstreth/NFHCA Division III All-America First Team honoree as well as being named the 2008 New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Mitchell was also selected to both the Longstreth/NFHCA South Atlantic and All-NJAC first teams the last two seasons. Mitchell anchored TCNJ's defensive unit that led the NJAC in team goals against average (0.87), fewest goals allowed (17), and shutouts (9).
Reuther, who was named to the Longstreth/NFHCA Division III All-America Third Team, was previously named the 2008 NJAC Midfielder of the Year and was tabbed to both the South Atlantic and All-NJAC first teams. She is a two-time NJAC all-conference selection and helped lead the Lions to their third consecutive NJAC Championship. Reuther finished third in the NJAC in overall assists (11).
Gelinas, a defender, shined at both ends of the field for the Lions contributing to the team's defensive success, but also ranked among the team's scoring leaders with 18 points on four goals and 10 assists. Those 10 assists were second on the team.
Okuniewicz provided TCNJ's offense with another weapon as she was second on the team in both goals (15) and points (34). She also topped the team with five game-winning goals. This was her second rookie of the year honor as Okuniewicz received that same award from the NJAC.
This season, the Lions finished with an overall record of 16-3 and advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals.
